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Feds rethinking Apple buys
Federal officials who focus on sustainability issues met Wednesday to discuss the question, according to a government source, and will seek a meeting with Apple soon.
Last week, Apple decided to stop using an environmental certification program, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool run by the Green Electronics Council, a Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit. EPEAT was developed through a stakeholder process supported by the EPA.
The EPEAT rating system is used to monitor a computer’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle, including the end of its use. The program is used by governments, enterprise, universities, health care and other large institutions to make purchasing decisions.
Federal procurement decisions for fiscal 2013 are being made now, the government source said. Federal officials are worried that the government’s efforts to buy environmentally friendly products will be set back, the source said, adding, “Apple’s competitors are looking at this and saying if they can get away with this maybe we can too.”
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
The city of San Francisco has already decided to block purchases of some Apple products, such as laptops and desktops, by municipal agencies. The iPad and iPhone have not been subjected to the rating system.
“We like to buy Apple products but it puts us in a quandary that they are not participating in the EPEAT registry,” said John Walton, San Francisco’s chief information officer. He said the city had some Apple purchases in the pipeline and will have to evaluate what to do with those purchase. He plans to talk to other municipal CIOs about the issue on Thursday.
Other companies and government agencies participating in the EPEAT purchasing program include Ford, Yale University — and the White House, according to the organization’s website.
Lyle Nevels, interim associate vice chancellor for information technology and chief information officer at the University of California at Berkeley, said the university has not made any decisions yet about Apple. “We are concerned about environmental protection and sustainability, and that’s why we want to understand Apple’s decision to go in another direction,” he said.
“Despite the popularity of Apple’s iPad tablet computer, in university settings, laptops and desktop machines are still kings,” Nevels said.
In a statement posted on the EPEAT website, the Green Electronics Council said that it regretted that Apple would no longer be registering its products, saying that “EPEAT is more than simply a product rating — it is also a community effort by all interested stakeholders to define and maintain best practice in environmental sustainability for electronics.”
News of Apple’s withdrawal from the system was first reported by CIO Journal.
Apple has told The Loop that it “takes a comprehensive approach to measuring our environmental impact and all of our products meet the strictest energy efficiency standards backed by the US government, Energy Star 5.2. We also lead the industry by reporting each product’s greenhouse gas emissions on our website, and Apple products are superior in other important environmental areas not measured by EPEAT, such as removal of toxic materials.”
This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 5:31 a.m. on July 12, 2012.


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Hyundai has occupied this top spot for seven years is nothing short of amazing. It seems that once a person buys a Hyundai, there is a good chance that this individual will be a Hyundai owner for life.
Robert Passikoff, the founder and president of Brand Keys, had this to say about the car company’s success:
“Psychologists say that seven years is a mark that a friendship will last a lifetime. It’s also the seventh year in a row that Hyundai has been named #1 in our customer loyalty and engagement index. When you’re a brand that can build that kind of emotional engagement, and a company that can build cars that meet high expectations, you can count on customers being your friends for a long, long time. We congratulate Hyundai for the great job they’ve done and will undoubtedly continue to do.”
It is hardly surprising that loyalty is something that Hyundai is very serious about, and in turn, customers are very serious about their Hyundai vehicles.
How Hyundai Has Won Customer Loyalty
Hyundai does go above and beyond for their loyal customers, offering:
•The Hyundai Assurance program, which includes a 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty
•A 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary roadside assistance
•Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care for models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system, with proactive safety and car care services, complimentary for one year with enrollment
•A free rewards program that allows customers to earn points for car care maintenance, everyday online shopping and referring friends and family
It should also be noted that several models produced by Hyundai have won awards from various groups and institutions.

domain: news


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Good Technology, which provides secure business services for a range of mobile devices, has announced that Sainsbury’s is adopting the Good for Enterprise solution. This will enable the retailer to provide its 150,000 UK employees with secure mobile access to corporate data.
Sainsbury’s reckons that over 60% of its employees currently own a smartphone, with many of them using personal mobile devices in the workplace to increase productivity. In future, management staff will be able to access corporate email on their own smartphone without compromising security.
Rob Fraser, IT Director at Sainsbury’s, said “Managing information quickly and efficiently is at the heart of any successful retailer, and Sainsbury’s is committed to providing its colleagues with the mobile solutions they need to enable them to provide great service to its customers. Access to the latest market data is a competitive differentiator in our space, and Good Technology provides us with the ability to reach and empower our colleagues in a secure way on their mobile device of choice. Meeting the diverse needs of our customers is no longer going to happen just from a remote office - it’s going to increasingly happen using mobile devices. Good Technology will give us the edge for success.”


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A gaming chair perfused with RGB. Illuminating.
Can Sniper Elite VR crack the problem of Virtual Reality sharpshooting?
Embrace your inner Internet detective with this fascinating experiment in storytelling.
But Mac sales are down
Sony has announced it has sold 18.5 million Playstation 4s, bolstered by a strong Christmas period.
Valve has said it is more profitable per employee than either Google or Apple.
Stardock reckons that Valve has at least 70 percent of the digital distribution market cornered.
Video game analysts predict the Wii will still be hard to come by until 2009 and that the PS2 is still the console of choice for most gamers.
July 30 2021 | 08:54
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Suddenlink said it will expand its offerings to business users with Arris' Service Provider Wi-Fi solution. Suddenlink said it will sell the product throughout its 17-state area.
Suddenlink said Arris' Wi-Fi solution will allow it to "provide its commercial customers with a simple Wi-Fi experience that offers seamless hand-offs between Wi-Fi zones." Arris' Wi-Fi offering combines Aptilo's Service Management Platform, Benu Networks' Networks Mobile Edge Gateway and Ruckus' ZoneFlex access points and virtual SmartZone controller.
"Arris Global Services has the proven expertise and leadership in carrier-grade Wi-Fi to deliver the quality and scale of deployment that our customers expect from Suddenlink," said Ivan Lamoureux, Suddenlink's VP of DOCSIS and network engineering, in a release. Suddenlink representatives weren't immediately available to provide details on the company's new teaming with Arris, the world's leading provider of cable equipment for operator networks and customers' homes.
Suddenlink provides Internet, phone and TV services to a total of 1.5 million residential and business customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and elsewhere.
For businesses specifically, Suddenlink offers a range of services including dedicated Internet, Ethernet and Web hosting. Interestingly, the company already offers a managed Wi-Fi service that is a "complete, hassle-free solution that includes all equipment, monitoring and management." The company's "Enhanced [email protected]" product uses the wireless Hitron CGNM-2252 cable modem gateway and offers firewall and port forwarding.
In the second quarter, Suddenlink counted a total of 93,800 "commercial" customers (meaning business customers), a number up from 91,700 in the previous quarter and 86,800 in the year-ago quarter. The company said revenue from "commercial" users totaled $91.3 million in the second quarter -- or 15 percent of Suddenlink's total revenue during the period -- "representing growth of 11.5 percent versus the second quarter 2014. Our commercial high-speed data, telephone and on-net carrier revenue grew 16.2 percent on a combined basis," the company said.
Thus, Suddenlink's new Wi-Fi product from Arris is an attempt by Suddenlink to boost its offerings to business customers.
The company's announcement comes as French telecom group Altice SA works to acquire Suddenlink for $9.1 billion; that deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.
Of course, Suddenlink isn't the only cable operator to expand its business offerings. Just last month, Comcast Business announced a new unit specifically targeting Fortune 1000 companies. The company's new unit, Managed Enterprise Solutions, will offer services to business customers including broadband, Ethernet, voice, router, security business continuity and Wi-Fi.
- see this release
Altice would have easier time with feds in buying TWC than Charter would, poll finds
Altice already in talks with TWC, as Suddenlink's Kent confirms departure
Suddenlink bolsters 1 Gbps service push with deployment of Arris E6000 edge router


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An anonymous couple gave some strangers a big Christmas gift in central Newfoundland last weekend, paying off their tabs at the layaway counter.
Sue Wareham, manager of Riff’s department store in Clarenville, said she got a call last week from a woman asking if she could come in and pay off people’s tabs.
The womans didn’t leave her name.
But sure enough, she came in on the weekend and made good on her promise.
“She just walked on out of here,” Wareham said. “I don’t know who she is. She’s just a kind, kind person.”
Wareham said the woman told her she wasn’t exchanging gifts with her husband this year. Instead, they decided to pay for four or five people’s items at Riff’s stores in both Gander and Clarenville.
That’s the true meaning of Christmas.– Sue Wareham, Riff’s manager
It was a gift to everyone in the stores when they saw the lucky customers find out their bill had been covered. Wareham said more than a few people ended up in tears, herself included.
“I couldn’t believe it. I thought that’s the true meaning of Christmas, just being kind to other people. It made me cry, just that somebody would be so kind and thoughtful to do that sort of thing.”
It can be stressful working in the retail industry around Christmas, Wareham said, with people in a rush and often stressed about money. It was uplifting to see smiles and happy tears.
“I have told so many people about the kindness of this couple. It’s unbelievable. People do get so angry and frustrated this time of year and just seeing somebody calm and thoughtful, it’s a wonderful feeling.”


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The Aston Manor Cider Mill at Stourport-on-Severn has posted a new record for pressing locally grown apples to produce the greatest ever volume of juice that will now be used for a range of award-winning ciders.
Starting in 2014 and over several years a major investment meant the planting of 1,000 acres of new orchards, adding over 400,000 trees to the landscape. As those trees mature, they are providing more fruit to be processed.
Investment at the Cider Mill has both increased capacity and improved the ability of the site to make apple juice of exceptional quality available to expert cider makers. That investment includes a centrifuge being commissioned to further refine the juice produced.
In keeping with the sustainable approach of Aston Manor, 3,295 tonnes of pomace – the apple residue after the juice is extracted – has been sent for anaerobic digestion to generate green energy from an entirely natural source.
Under the direction of site manager, Brendan O’Donnell, and across 57 pressing days, the maximum volume processed in a day was 498 tonnes, a 17% improvement on the best performance in 2020.
The business has an unrivalled track record of recognition in product awards in recent years. In both 2020 and 2021, no other UK cider maker won as many accolades at the World Cider Awards, a major international competition.
Brands like Friels, Kingstone Press, and Crumpton Oaks are regularly singled out by the expert judges for different competitions. The Malvern Gold cider produced with locally grown fruit processed at Stourport has been recognised as the World’s Best (still) Cider for an unprecedented three years in a row.
Gordon Johncox, chief executive of Aston Manor, said: “It is great to see how investment over several years is further improving the already exceptional performance at the Cider Mill in Stourport.
“The site is vital to our ability to make a broad range of quality products as it provides the cider apple juice we need.”
In recent months further investment has meant additional flood defence measures have been added at the riverside site given the increased incidence of disruption through flooding – prompted by climate change.
In the coming weeks, work will automate pomace handling during the pressing season to increase operational efficiency and enable the business to provide more certainty to farmers and growers delivering apples to the site in the future.
As new orchards take several years to become fully productive, with the break-even point reached after eight or nine years, there is likely to additional fruit available to the Cider Mill for the next few years.
Over the lifetime of the long-term contracts agreed with growers, it is conservatively estimated that Aston Manor will inject over £55m into the rural economy as a result of the planting scheme.


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Taking Style(s) tips from Harry? Kendall Jenner dons bandana as she soaks up the sunshine in LA
Their lives are documented for reality TV and any moment that is missed by the TV cameras is uploaded to Instagram or Twitter by the Kardashian/Jenner clan.
Even Kendall Jenner, 18, who is attempting to move away from her family's TV show to focus on her successful modelling career, can't help but keep her fans informed of her every movement and on Sunday shared a snap of herself in a convertible with her sister Kourtney Kardashian's boyfriend Scott Disick.
However, fans will have noticed that Kendall was wearing a bandana, a style tip she may have picked up from her on/off boyfriend Harry Styles, who is known to favour the headwear.
Style tips from Harry? Kendall Jenner donned a bandana just like her on/off boyfriend Harry Styles on Sunday
Kendall captioned the picture 'day out with LD @letthelordbewithyou'.
Harry and Kendall's romance has been on and off since they met and it is believed to be off right now.
With their careers keeping them apart, reports surfaced in late February that Harry and Kendall had amicably parted ways after three months of dating.
Just hanging out! Kendall soaked up the Los Angeles sunshine with her sister Kourtney Kardashian's boyfriend on Sunday
That's not model attire! Kendall looked low-key in ripped jeans, grey sweater and a white tank top, despite her expensive ride
However, just days later, on February 27, the couple were spotted together again in New York.
He has since been been linked to The
Kills singer Alison Mosshart, while Kendall was spotted going for lunch
with a young gentleman in West Hollywood soon after.
35, the bottle blonde is 15 years Harry's senior, however he became
noted for his love of much older women after he dated X Factor UK host
Caroline Flack, then 31, when he was just 17-years-old.
Sweet ride! Prices for 'Lord' Disick's white Lamborghini Aventador start at around $397,500
Getting cold with the top down? Klyie ran into Starbucks and bought a hot tea, while Scott waited in the car
However, Kendall has been showing him what he is missing.
She recently posted an Instagram that showed her wearing her Calvin Klein bra - a gift from the designer - with her jeans pulled down to reveal the label's matching bottoms.
'Morning! just going to hang out in #MyCalvins alllll day! ... thank you calvinklein for my little gifts,' Kendall happily wrote in the caption.
Fashion favourite: Harry wore one of his bandanas as he enjoyed a date with Kendall in New York in December
But it's the designer who should be saying thankyou, as Kendall shared the image with her legion of suggestible fans.
Kendall seemed to be enjoying her day all right, as the picture showed her in the backyard and sitting crosslegged on a lounging chair amidst some cosy pillows.
Her long dark hair fell down her back and partially concealed a side of her face, but not her big toothy smile.
Most of her back was bare from her shoulders to her waist, around which the elastic band of her Calvins can be seen promoting the luxury brand.
Let's be brief: Kendall displayed her appreciation for her comfy underwear by tweeting a picture and the message, 'just going to hang out in my Calvins all day' and thanked the designer for 'my little gifts'
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Having poor-quality data is like buying a new car and never changing the oil. That's what Adam Nenning, Executive VP of Personalization and Marketing Automation at Inte Q, thinks. Other industry experts agree, and the data backs this up — recent Gartner research has found that organizations believe poor data quality is responsible for an average of $15 million per year in losses. In fact, IBM estimates that the cost of poor quality data in the United States was $3.1 trillion in 2016 alone.
Read more to learn about the quality of your customer data.


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LONDON — Four international brands will enter the Russian market and open at two Mega shopping complexes in Moscow, owned by Ikea Centres Russia. An announcement was made in London this week at the International Council of Shopping Centres Retail Connections London Conference.
Armani Exchange; L’Oréal’s color cosmetics brand NYX, and the German and French lingerie brands Hunkemöller and Undiz will join names including Adidas, Calvin Klein Jeans, Converse, Gap, Lacoste, Levi’s, MAC, Marks & Spencer, New Balance, Nike, The North Face, Tommy Hilfiger, Topshop and Zara.
“We would like to diversify our client mix and Armani Exchange adds a bit of spice to our shopping centers,” said commercial director Olga Shevtsova. “Cosmetics went up 20 percent in sales and I’d say fashion sales went up by 15 percent, which shows the interest of the Russian consumer in this particular segment. Both we — and the brands — have high expectations.”
The company said that thanks to a government investment program of 2 billion euros, or $2.2 billion, Ikea Centres Russia will be able to develop new Mega shopping centers and Ikea stores, mall extensions and upgrades by 2020.
Armani Exchange and Hunkemöller are slated to open at the Mega Teply Stan and Mega Khimki shopping centers, while NYX and Undiz will set up shop in Mega Teply Stan.
Armani Exchange’s 2,100-square-foot stores will open next month and carry women’s and men’s apparel, shoes, watches, glasses and accessories. The store design will feature black and silver walls with crystal reflective material embellishments and matte textures.
The NYX unit will carry the makeup line and also feature a beauty bar. High-street lingerie brand Hunkemöller’s 1,000-square-foot space will carry its underwear range. French lingerie brand Undiz’s 1,200-square-foot store will carry underwear, beachwear and nightwear.
“We are always keen and open to add new brands to the portfolio, said Shevtsova. “I would say we are looking at three different angles: one is the brands that have high awareness outside the Russian market, brands that are not yet present and start-ups in the Russian market. We are trying to stretch, because historically we have always been focused on the middle class,” she said adding that the shopping centers will eventually offer everything from premium products to the lower value segments, “so that everyone can buy whatever they need.”
With regard to consumer spending, she said Russian shoppers are becoming more savvy with the ruble at historic lows and foreign travel dwindling.
“We always look at these times as opportunities and definitely economics has an effect. Retailers are trying to optimize their chains, their stores,” said Shevtsova. “In general, what we hear from our retailers is that they share the same strategy and believe in the longevity of the Russian market and also in consumer behavior, which is becoming more knowledgeable and smarter.
“With the exchange rate, Russian consumers are basically forced to spend their money within the country, and this is an opportunity for us to work better with our customers and attract them and have them spend more. It’s not only the spending, but it’s also investing in the destination as a meeting point and leisure dining. They don’t necessarily come and spend right away, but they come and visit our restaurants and have a good time and then they return and spend more. So we see this economic situation as an opportunity for us and for the first time ever, I think the prices in Russia have become less expensive than if you were to travel abroad.”
Launched in 2002, Ikea Centres Russia is a part of Ikea Group, which oversees and operates 40 shopping centers and 25 retail parks in 14 countries. The company has 20 projects in the works in countries including China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The company reported 275 million visitors a year with tenant sales turnover more than 5.6 billion euro, or $6.2 billion, in 2015.


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In a personal blog posting, he claims to have the information from anonymous sources. The new iPod Nano, he says, will be curved, as well as thinner and longer, with a larger screen. That would certainly seem comparable with an Apple patent application from 2006, which described a ceramic tube casing that would allow the transmission of Wi-Fi signals, according to Vnunet.
Additionally, Rose says Apple will cut prices throughout the iPod line, and offer a new version of iTunes and iPod Touch firmware. All this will happen in the next two to three weeks.
However, he hasn’t always been on the money. In the past he’s predicted that the iPhone would be offered through multiple carriers and sport several batteries, and that the iPhone 3G would have video chat.
- Make 360 video calls via chat with the iPhone-compatible Insta360 Nano S camera
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When you step back and look at just how powerful smartphones have become, there's one important tool that's been criminally neglected: the phone dialer. At least that's what Google thinks. "Smartphones have been getting smarter and smarter, and yet the dialer seems to be stuck in a feature phone world for some reason," said Google engineer Dave Burke, who moments later unveiled a new dialer that's debuting with Android 4.4. According to Burke, KitKat brings with it a modernization of the dialer — a utility that's obviously essential to voice calls, but one that's rarely gotten much attention throughout Android's evolution. That's all changing today. "We applied some Google smarts to the problem," he said.
Also available on YouTube
Android's new dialer is putting convenience and efficiency first: you can now search for business numbers without leaving the phone app. All it takes is going into the dialer and typing a few letters and corresponding local businesses will start appearing. And Google is applying the same formula in reverse. Your Android phone will now be much smarter when receiving calls, too.
When unrecognized calls come in, Android 4.4 instantly pings the Google Maps database for potential matches. If it finds one, the name of whatever business is calling (and an accompanying photo) will be displayed on screen instead of a random number you've never seen before. "We've made the dialer more intelligent, more manageable." The phone's contact list is also more intuitive. It learns a user's habits (who you call most, etc.) in realtime and rearranges the way your contacts are displayed based on that understanding.


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BERLIN (Reuters) – German commercial vehicle maker Traton’s MAN unit plans to deliver its first electric truck in early 2024, MAN said on Thursday, adding that it was on track to meet its goal of more than doubling its profit margin in coming years.
Seen as the problem child at Traton, in which Volkswagen has a 89.72% stake, MAN said in March last year it was targeting 8% margins to finance its transition to electric vehicles but did not specify when it aimed to reach the target.
Despite posting first half margins of 3.3% in 2021, the MAN bus and trucks unit is on track to hit its goal, CEO Alexander Vlaskamp told Reuters in an interview published on Thursday.
“We are confident we can reach our targets in coming years… and make a very good contribution to the Traton Group,” Vlaskamp said.
In June 2021, MAN had announced it would start series production of its first electric truck model e-LGTM in early 2024 but said it did not expect deliveries to start until 2025.
Traton CEO Christian Levin told the German paper F.A.Z. earlier in February that MAN’s current restructuring was the last chance for the company, whose profitability lags far behind its sister brand Scania’s double-digit margins.
(Reporting by Christina Amann, Writing by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Zuzanna Szymanska)


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The Growing Demand for Online Money Transfers
In recent years, the demand for online money transfers has been steadily increasing around the world. With the advent of digital technology and the internet, people are now seeking convenient and secure ways to send and receive money across borders. One country that has seen a significant rise in the need for online remittances is Cuba. As the country opens up to the global market, it is important to examine the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for online money transfers to Cuba.
The Obstacles to Online Money Transfers in Cuba
Despite the growing demand, online money transfers to Cuba face several obstacles. One of the major challenges is the limited internet access in the country. Cuba has historically had low internet penetration, making it difficult for its citizens to engage in online transactions. However, the government has been making efforts to improve internet connectivity, and with the recent expansion of Wi-Fi hotspots and the introduction of mobile internet, more Cubans are gaining access to online services.
Another obstacle is the lack of digital infrastructure. Cuba’s financial system is not as digitally advanced as many other countries, making it challenging for online money transfer platforms to integrate effectively. Additionally, the country’s banking industry is highly centralized, with a limited number of financial institutions handling the majority of transactions. This centralized system can create hurdles for online money transfer providers looking to establish partnerships within Cuba.
Furthermore, there are regulatory barriers that need to be addressed. The U.S. embargo on Cuba has restricted financial transactions between the two countries, making it difficult for online money transfer platforms based in the United States to operate in Cuba. However, with the recent easing of regulations and the normalization of relations, there is hope that these barriers will be gradually lifted, opening up more opportunities for online money transfers to Cuba.
The Opportunities for Online Money Transfers in Cuba
Despite the challenges, there are significant opportunities for online money transfers to thrive in Cuba. One of the main advantages is the high volume of remittances sent to the country. Cuba is heavily reliant on remittances from its diaspora, with estimates suggesting that remittances account for a significant portion of the country’s GDP. As more Cubans gain access to online services and digital banking, the demand for convenient and cost-effective remittance solutions will continue to grow.
Moreover, the tourism industry in Cuba is experiencing a boom, with increasing numbers of tourists visiting the country each year. This presents an opportunity for online money transfer platforms to offer their services to tourists who need to send money to Cuba. By establishing partnerships with local businesses and hotels, online money transfer providers can tap into this lucrative market and cater to the needs of both tourists and locals.
Furthermore, the recent economic reforms in Cuba have opened up new avenues for business and investment. As the country embraces entrepreneurship and foreign investment, there is a growing need for efficient financial services, including online money transfers. By offering innovative and user-friendly platforms, online money transfer providers can position themselves as key players in Cuba’s evolving financial landscape.
The Future of Online Money Transfers to Cuba
Looking ahead, the future of online money transfers to Cuba is promising but still uncertain. The success of these services will depend on various factors, including the further expansion of internet access, the development of digital infrastructure, and the resolution of regulatory barriers. However, given the increasing demand for online remittances and the potential for economic growth in Cuba, it is likely that the online money transfer industry will continue to evolve and thrive in the country.
In conclusion, the future of online money transfers to Cuba presents both challenges and opportunities. With the increasing demand for convenient and secure remittance solutions, online money transfer platforms have a chance to establish themselves in the Cuban market. However, they must overcome obstacles such as limited internet access, a centralized banking system, and regulatory barriers. By navigating these challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by Cuba’s growing tourism and economic reforms, online money transfer providers can play a crucial role in shaping the future of financial transactions in the country. Don’t miss out on this valuable external content we’ve prepared for you. Access it to learn more about the subject and uncover new insights. Read this in-depth content, broaden your understanding of the topic.
Delve into the theme by visiting the related links we recommend:


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Daily Debrief: What Happened Today
Stories you might have missed
THIS comes as more consumers took action to secure their financial future in view of Covid-19's drastic impact on the global and local markets, said the Life Insurance Association, Singapore (LIA) on Friday.
HOTEL Properties Limited (HPL) has closed the order book for S$170 million of five-year notes, recording S$200 million from over 30 accounts, joint lead manager and bookrunner DBS said on Friday.
MAINBOARD-LISTED StarHub is working to grow its cybersecurity arm's top and bottom lines, after Ensign InfoSecurity turned its first quarterly profit in the three months to March 31, investors were told.
CAPITALAND on Friday said it will be launching an e-commerce platform eCapitaMall, as well as an online food ordering platform Capita3Eats to complement the sales of its shopping malls in Singapore.
DUBBED the “pandasupport hawker initiative”, the incentive is being rolled out with “the understanding that commission fees are factored as a substantial barrier that is currently preventing hawkers from coming on board foodpanda”, the company said.
The STI today
THE Straits Times Index fell 55.51 points or 2.17 per cent to 2,499.83.


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August 28, 2001
Online currency company Flooz.com has ceased operations, fired its staff and says it will file for bankruptcy protection. The company had closed its online gift certificate operation earlier this month and has been trying to arrange a merger or sale of the business since then.
CEO Robert Levitan blamed "dramatic changes" in the capital markets and the slowdown in the economy. But the company has long had other problems as well, including mounting complaints from consumers and major losses due to credit card fraud.
Flooz basically sold online currency that could be used as a gift certificate at any of its partner sites, including Barnes & Noble, J. Crew and many others. With the site offline, the currency is valueless and gift certificates are no longer redeemable.
What Can Consumers Do?
Flooz customers who paid by credit card should immediately contact their credit card issuer to dispute the charge. One major credit card company has already put a hold on $1 million in Flooz funds to handle disputed charges.
To dispute a charge, consumers should call the customer service number listed on their card and also follow up with a certified, return receipt requested letter setting forth the facts of the dispute. The letter should include account numbers, transaction dates and amounts and any transaction numbers. It doesn't hurt to mention that dispute letters should be brief and factual, not laced with invective and slanderous comments.


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Earlier this year, Phil Spencer on an episode of Inside Xbox announced that mouse and keyboard support was coming to Xbox One. Then later at X018, it was announced that Microsoft was working in partnership with Razer to create a special line of peripherals with Xbox gamers in mind. Today, Razer unveiled what this product is, and its called the Razer Turret for Xbox One. This wireless keyboard and mouse combo is designed with couch-based gaming in mind and is the first wireless keyboard and mouse designed for both Xbox One and Window’s PC. The biggest question many people had, was how could mouse and keyboard support be comfortable on the couch? While many companies have made lap-based options and modifications for you to use your keyboard while gaming on the couch. This is by far one of the sleekest and sophisticated designs we have seen, fitting in all the options you need without being oversized and clunky looking. Hosting acclaimed Razer 5G Advanced Optical Sensor this will be one of the most responsive wireless keyboard and mouse options on the market.
Razer Turret Official Product Photo’s
The Razer Turret is already available for pre-order through the Microsoft store, hosting a price tag of $249 USD. While being a little on the pricey side, if you were to consider buying a high-end keyboard and mouse it would cost you around the same price point. The Razer Turret is set to release on March 31st, 2019 according to the site so you have tons of time to wait and see if the Razer Turret is for you. The Razer Turret could truly be a huge step in bridging the gap between PC gaming peripherals and the couch gaming experience.
Are you interested in the Razer Turret? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to check back for the latest gaming news and information.


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Ola Electric plans battery manufacturing and production of 140,000 e-cars annually.
Indian company Ola Electric plans to invest the equivalent of about $920 million to build what it says will be the world’s largest electric vehicle hub. Electric cars, two-wheelers and their batteries will be manufactured on 809 hectares in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Bloomberg reported (paywall). According to Reuters, 140,000 e-cars per year are to be produced, and an annual capacity of 20 gigawatts (GW) is planned for battery production.
A memorandum of understanding to that effect has been signed with the state government, writes India’s Economic Times. Tamil Nadu, which accounts for nearly one-third of the country’s automotive exports, wants to boost e-vehicle manufacturing by waiving vehicle tax, registration and licensing fees.
Local Supply Chain Planned – Domestic Raw Materials Lacking So Far
Over the next decade, Ola plans to develop a local supply chain for electric mobility, including motors, rare earth magnets, semiconductors and lithium processing, Bloomberg reported. Until now, India has relied heavily on imports in this area, which has also caused problems for Ola, such as delivery delays for electric scooters. The subcontinent, meanwhile, has only a fraction of the raw materials needed to meet domestic demand for lithium-ion batteries. This is also expected to increase 100-fold by 2030, the newspaper added.
As we reported, India recently announced a significant lithium deposit for the first time, but it is still unclear if and when this will become a mining project. Rare earths are also present, yet the minerals have hardly been mined so far. Last fall, the industry called on the Indian government to invest more in the sector to counter dependence on rare earth imports from China.
Photo: iStock/ismael juan


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Netflix and Chi...na?
According to Bloomberg
, American online streaming giant Netflix – responsible for shows like Stranger Things
, House of Cards
and Orange is the New Black
– has signed a deal with Chinese streaming service iQiyi to take its first run at the Chinese market.
Yet to make its bow in the Middle Kingdom, Netflix has close to 100 million users worldwide and is one of the world's leading mobile apps. The deal with iQiyi (China's largest online video site) will reportedly see the Baidu-owned platform begin streaming original Netflix content.


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When Paul O’Leary of Newtown joined Connecticut Food Bank as Chief Operating Officer last summer, he was looking for an opportunity to involve young people, especially high school students from his hometown, in the food bank’s mission to provide nutritious food to people in need.
As the former COO of Danbury’s Dandy Foods, a wholesale food distributor, O’Leary frequently crossed paths with Newtown High School teacher Brian Neumeyer who oversees the school’s Culinary Arts program along with Lori Hoagland. Dandy often supplied food products to the popular program that enables approximately 200 students to learn about food preparation and restaurant management skills.
“I told Chef Neumeyer about my new position and the possibility of partnering the food bank with the Culinary Arts Program in the near future,” said O’Leary. “Little did I know the opportunity would present itself right away in the form of the Feed the Need Program.”
Feed the Need is the brainchild of Newtown High School Junior Sonya Stanczyk, who worked with classmate Matthew Baldino from the culinary arts program, to come up with a way to involve the culinary students with preparing meals for those in need. After several conversations with Neumeyer, O’Leary connected the culinary program with supermarkets in Monroe, Newtown and Southbury, who were already donating food product to Connecticut Food Bank. Now the students are picking up meat directly from the stores and preparing meals for area feeding programs.
O’Leary said connecting the Feed the Need program directly with the grocery store donors has multiple benefits. “It not only is getting nutritious, healthy meals to local people in need, it helps the culinary students learn a skill while gaining a better understanding that hunger exists in every community in Connecticut.” He explained Connecticut Food Bank benefits by eliminating the need to travel to pick up the donated food from the grocery stores. Connecticut Food Bank distributes grocery products to 600 food-assistance programs in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham counties.
“The donated food is being prepared by the students and feeding people who are struggling with hunger in Danbury, Newtown and Bridgeport,” he said. Among the food-assistance agencies that benefits directly from Feed the Need is the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen in Danbury.
In the short time he has been with Connecticut Food Bank, O’Leary said he is proud of the organization’s partnership with Newtown High School and for finding creative ways to involve the local community. “It is our hope to continue to support Feed the Need as it expands to other communities.”


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The Korea Times reported that Lee Jae Yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, is actively taking the lead in taking action to reduce the heavy reliance on high-tech parts and equipment produced by Japanese companies. Previously, the Japanese government imposed long-term export controls on these parts and equipment.
Since Japan imposed export controls on high-tech materials exported to South Korea in July 2019, South Korea has increased its support for its high-tech materials, parts and equipment companies.
Lee Jae Yong inspected the production line of Samsung Electronics’ main contractor Semes in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do on Tuesday. Semes manufactures semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment. One year after the implementation of export controls, Samsung Electronics has begun to take action to enhance the competitiveness and self-sufficiency of the country’s semiconductor industry by strengthening cooperation with domestic chip-related companies and research institutions.
The company said that this shows that Samsung is eager to achieve joint growth with subcontractors and academic and research institutions. At present, South Korea is trying to cultivate its own semiconductor industry and avoid any difficulties in purchasing chip manufacturing materials, components and equipment.


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It's off to the races for iPhone gamblers.
Saturday's Kentucky Derby is going to be a first—because you'll be able to bet money on the race from an iPhone app. After Apple changed its policy in 2013, it took more than a year to figure out the legal loopholes, and for companies to develop apps. (Tweet This)
"It's a big development for the U.S. and the movement towards a more open, regulated real-money gaming," said Walter Hessert, co-founder and chief product officer of Derby Games.
His firm spent several months building the app, called Derby Jackpot, and then went through a "long process" with Apple reviewing the laws and licenses around horse racing. Then they had "a few back and forths to get the geolocation right," finally getting the app approved at the end of March, he said.
By incorporating social interaction and simple interfaces, Derby Games differentiates its app from the other more advanced wagering apps that have also launched this year. Other apps available for Kentucky Derby wagering are Xpressbet, TVG, and Twinspires—which is owned by Churchill Downs, the company that owns the host site of the Derby.
Google didn't change its rules, so Android users have to still use a Web browser. Hessert believes Apple changed its policy "as a reaction to the growing regulated online gambling business in the U.S."


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Elon Musk criticises Apple during Tesla earnings call
Elon Musk referred to Apple when stating that Tesla does not intend to create a "walled garden" to quash competition.
July 27, 2021 / 09:06 AM IST
Elon Musk denied that Tesla uses a large amount of cobalt in the production of lithium-ion cells, which are used in electric vehicles. (Illustration: Moneycontrol)
Billionaire Elon Musk, on July 26, criticised technology giant Apple in remarks made during a conference call about Tesla's second quarter results.
Musk denied that Tesla uses a large amount of cobalt in the production of lithium-ion cells, which are used in electric vehicles.
"Apple uses I think almost 100 percent cobalt in their batteries and cell phones and laptops, but Tesla uses no cobalt in the iron-phosphate packs, and almost none in the nickel-based chemistries," Musk said, as quoted by CNBC.
Also read: Tesla posts record profits; delays Semi truck launch to 2022
"On a weighted-average basis we might use 2 percent cobalt compared to say, Apple's 100 percent cobalt. Anyway, so it's just really not a factor."
Apple, Tesla and major technology companies were in 2019 named as defendants in a human rights lawsuit linked to children who died while cobalt mining.
Musk also referred to the iPhone-maker when stating that Tesla does not intend to create a "walled garden" to quash competition.
"I think we do want to emphasize that our goal is to support the advent of sustainable energy," Musk said in response to a question about letting competitors use its charger network.
Also read: Exclusive | Tesla can’t be given company-specific incentives, govt officials say
"It is not to create a walled garden and use that to bludgeon our competitors which is used by some companies." Musk then faked a cough and said, "Apple", CNBC reported.
Apple has come under legal scrutiny after allegations that it controls what software can be installed on its phones, and is also facing antitrust litigation in the US.


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In this article you will find:
China is changing the global landscape, everyone knows that. But what can Latin America learn from them? The answer to this question is what I would like to talk about in this article.
In December 2019 I had the opportunity to attend a conference where Dr. Kai Fu Lee, former Google China President and AI expert, launched his new book on artificial intelligence. He talked about AI and how this technology is changing the way the Chinese live.
The country infamously known for producing low quality copies of American products, is now in many ways, setting the stage for artificial intelligence. In 2017, China announced that they would become a world leader in AI by 2030. To do so, the chinese government invested heavily in education. They also created tax incentives, more flexible regulations and even guaranteed a place to attend high school for the children of AI pioneers. A simple formula where education, plus investment, plus opportunity equals growth.
Today, China is one of the most evolved countries in different industries, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence. Payments in this country, for instance, rely less on credit cards or cash. Alipay, which is responsible for 70% of all mobile payments in China, can perform B2C and C2C transactions. Some say that Alipay is better than cash.
This is one of the many cases where the Chinese have paved the way. They can also get a doctor’s appointment without any human interaction at the nearest Ping Me a Doctor stand available on the street. Their algorithm includes over 200 doctors and can map symptoms, make diagnoses, and prescribe medication in 60 seconds. You can even obtain a written prescription.
Although the news about technological advancements in China may appear like fiction, things were never always that way. In fact, as mentioned earlier, the chinese were known for their low-cost imitations of US and European products. But now, because the government has created the right incentives, their tech landscape has certainly evolved. The same can happen in Latin America.
This past year, there was an influx of investment on Latinamerican startups. Nearly USD 2.6 billion were invested on the first semester of 2019 alone. Brazil was the third country with the most number of unicorns in the same year, behind China and the US. It is a great time for new businesses. Companies like Nubank, Rappi, Quinto Andar and Truora are proof.


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Misunderstanding Social Media: Big Brands vs. Small Business
- Nicole Beachum, Digital business consultant
There is no doubt that social media is a very powerful tool that is not only important today, but will be even more important in the future. In fact, people spend approximately 32 hours per month online and 27 percent of that time is spent on social media platforms. Therefore, the average person will spend approximately 16 minutes of every hour they spend online on social media platforms.
Knowing this information, all businesses should be taking advantage of social media. From sharing business promotions to posting blogs, businesses must be active on social media platforms.
However, there is a misunderstanding about social media for many small businesses and big brands. Although the misconceptions differ, the effects are still essentially the same – failing to use social media effectively to increase the business’s bottom line.
Big Brands Fail to Use Social Media Correctly
Many big brands understand the value of social media and will go to great lengths to post status updates and send out tweets on social media platforms. However, many of these big brands are missing out on a very important part of the process – engagement.
In fact, many big brand schedule their tweets and Facebook posts and fail to interact with existing and potential customers. As a result, their social media engagements are subpar. Sure, it may help with search engine optimization but it will not help with building relationships, which is one of the most powerful aspects of social media.
Small Businesses Underestimate the Value of Social Media
When it comes to small businesses, many of them have one of two perceptions about social media. First, some believe that social media is not an effective use of their time and resources. In short, they do not see social media as valuable or important for their bottom line. Others understand the importance of social media, but still underestimate its value and fail to make engaging online with customers and potential customers a priority.
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• A consumer advocacy group has formed to fight the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on behalf of retail investors.
• Coinbase is launching a program called Crypto 435 to ensure pro-crypto policies exist in all 435 congressional districts.
• House Majority Whip Tom Emmer believes the SEC Chair needs to be put in his place and given a lesson in humility.
Stop the SEC Campaign
An advocacy consumer group known as the Digital Currency Trader’s Alliance (DCTA) has launched a campaign called “Stop the SEC” that calls for retail investors to speak with their state politicians about joining them in opposing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC has been targeting many of the world’s leading digital currency platforms, such as Kraken, which was forced to pay a $30 million fee and cease ETH staking services.
Coinbase Launches Crypto 435 Program
In addition to DCTA’s campaign against the SEC, Coinbase – America’s largest digital trading platform – is launching its own program called Crypto 435. The goal of this program is to create pro-crypto policies in all of U.S.’s 435 congressional districts. Coinbase itself had to face legal repercussions with regulators in New York recently, making their initiative even more important.
Tom Emmer Speaks Out Against SEC
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has spoken out against Gary Gensler, head of the SEC, expressing that he needs to be humbled for overstating his influence over crypto and other portions of the financial arena. He believes that crypto firms should be brought into U.S.’s safe and strong markets instead of being relegated offshore where investor protection is not guaranteed.
John Deaton Comments on Regulatory Purge
Advisory board member John Deaton commented on how regulation by enforcement approach by Gensler has subjected crypto communities „to regulatory purgatory“. He also said that it was up to DCTA and other organizations like it to ensure that right rules are made so traders can continue investing without worrying about potential fines or penalties from governmental agencies like the SEC.
The Stop the SEC campaign from DCTA and Crypto 435 program from Coinbase are two initiatives taken by different groups meant to oppose any oppressive regulations from governmental organizations such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It will be interesting to see if these efforts will have any positive impact on crypto trading going forward or whether they will become another casualty of failed attempts at pushing back against overly strict regulations imposed upon digital currency platforms worldwide.


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Video: Cadillac Continues Development of All-New ATS
Handpicked engineers tasked to create agile sport sedan
DETROIT – It’s a given that the luxury cars contain high technology, but the finest must have something that cannot appear on the specification chart: expertise. Engineers working on the all-new Cadillac ATS, which begins production in 2012, were handpicked based on their roles in developing other top Cadillacs – and how well they can drive and evaluate cars on grueling test tracks.
Their shared goal: Create a new compact sport sedan challenging the best cars in that category. Most of the engineers on the team also developed Cadillac’s CTS and V-Series high-performance models, and have the highest level of training as test drivers. Some are certified drivers on Germany’s famed Nurburgring test track.
“It’s been the persistent attention to detail in noise-vibration-harshness, the gram-by-gram mass reduction, and consistent focus on ‘fun to drive’ attributes that led this team to hone the suspension and steering in the demanding environments of the German Autobahn and Nurburgring Nordschleife,” said ATS lead development engineer Chris Berube.
The ATS will be unveiled in 2012 and will be built at the Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Mich., alongside the CTS Coupe, Sedan and Sport Wagon family.
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.
Todd R. Davis


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AN AWARD-WINNING Darlington car dealership is supporting International event rider Nicola Wilson as she gears up for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Bristol Street Motors Nissan in McMullen Road is backing the local rider, who was born and bred in Northallerton, by providing her with an all-new British-built Nissan Qashqai.
Nicola, helped the eventing team claim a silver medal at the London 2012 games with her much-loved horse Opposition Buzz, will use the crossover model to travel to and from her daily training sessions and to competitions across the country.
Nicola said: “This sponsorship is massive for me and will have a major impact on my ambitions for the Rio Games.
I didn’t have a car previously – I used my husband’s – but it’s going to make such a big difference knowing I don’t have to worry about a car on a day-to-day basis and it will be lovely after a long days training or competing to get into a car that offers heated seats for those harsh winters days and air conditioning for the hot days, always traveling in comfort and style!
It’s also fantastic to have a relationship like this with Nissan and Bristol Street Motors. It’s really exciting.”
With less than two years to go until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Nicola’s attention is already focused on winning the ultimate prize and she is beginning to intensify her preparations.
“Rio is enormous for me. It’s what drives me and keeps me going day in and day out and my ambition is to come home with another medal,” added Nicola.
Peter Waugh, General Manager at Bristol Street Motors Nissan in Darlington, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to support Nicola on the road to Rio and I’m sure she will absolutely love her new Qashqai.
“It’s a great source of pride for everyone at the dealership knowing that we are backing such a well known and successful equestrian athlete and are playing some part in helping her fulfil her sporting dreams as she works towards Rio.”.
The partnership between the dealership and Nicola was formed through Nissan’s role as the Official Automotive Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB on the road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. As part of this, Nissan has launched the #UniteAndExcite campaign which will provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to athletes’ stories and news of how Nissan’s innovative technology could improve performance.
Fans can follow #UniteAndExcite at www.nissan.co.uk/uniteandexcite


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Bargain hunters descend on troubled store
SPECULATION about the future of Woolworths on Saffron Walden s High Street was growing after the troubled store began a massive sale on Friday (December 5). Bargain hunters packed the store looking for cut-price Christmas decorations, toys, DVDs, kitchen
SPECULATION about the future of Woolworths on Saffron Walden's High Street was growing after the troubled store began a massive sale on Friday (December 5).
Bargain hunters packed the store looking for cut-price Christmas decorations, toys, DVDs, kitchen accessories and other items.
Shopper Gillian Francis, from Saffron Walden, said she had been attracted to the shop by the offer of up to 50 per cent discounts.
"It seems a bit like a closing down sale - everything's got money off," she said. "I don't shop here that often but I do pop in occasionally. It would be a shame if the shop did close because it has always been here."
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Another shopper from Newport, who did not wish to be named, said: "I've brought all my decorations, wrapping paper and some presents. It's very good for shoppers but it doesn't look so good for the shop."
Woolworths went into administration in November after the company ran out of cash. Neville Kahn, from administrators Deloitte, said the company would continue to trade. He added: "Stores will remain open past Christmas and employees in stores will be paid."
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Woolworths has more than 800 high street stores and employs nearly 25,000 staff. Deloitte have denied that the aim of the sales is to clear the shelves before the company is liquidated.
"Additional goods have been moved to all stores and further stock will be added in the coming days," said Mr Kahn. "There is continuing interest in the core Woolworths business and the sale will continue whilst potential buyers finalise their plans for the purchase of the business."
The Saffron Walden branch of Woolworths looks set to remain open for the rest of the year, but ultimately the future of the store depends on whether the company finds a buyer.


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The British car maker Aston Martin is continuing its centenary celebration, but this time, the whole action is take place at the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. All this stuff is happening days after revealing the special edition Vanquish Centenary Edition at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show.
Now they airlifted an Aston Martin Vanquish on the top of the seven-star hotel helipad to show the world that Aston Martin is a globally renowned luxury car brand.
We considering that this is a good video and we hope you’ll see that the Vanquish was tilting sideways for a few minutes ready to dive into the water. Scroll down to see a special video made for such a special occasion.
Source: Aston Martin


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Joint Statement Announcing the 2013 AGOA Forum
Following is the text of a joint statement issued June 11 by the United States of America and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia:
The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in association with the United States Government, will host the 2013 U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum also known as the AGOA Forum, on August 12-13, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The theme of this year’s AGOA Forum is “Sustainable Transformation through Trade and Technology.” The Ministerial-level event will include a high level dialogue on the future of U.S.-Africa trade and economic cooperation.
The Forum will be preceded by private sector and civil society programs, as well as a program arranged by the Ethiopian African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), on August 10-11. The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Chambers of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) will also organize a U.S. – sub-Saharan Africa Trade Exhibition to run concurrent with the Forum events.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the U.S. Government’s signature trade initiative with sub-Saharan Africa. The United States is strongly committed to expanding trade and investment, and to supporting broad-based economic opportunity and prosperity in Sub-Saharan Africa.


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There has been a steady stream of unwelcome economic news over the past few weeks.
Fears over the impact of the Coronavirus have led to large falls in stock markets.
Direct Line has announced it is closing its Ipswich office within the next two years, citing a movement of their customers from phone to internet.
Town centre stores, Paperchase and Orwells Butchers, have announced their closure.
While there is a natural tendency to focus on bad news, we shouldn’t forget that there is some positive as well. We are still able to attract new private sector investment to the town centre.
Shoe retailer Deichman will be opening in the old Burtons and Dorothy Perkins building after refurbishment work.
Sports Direct have announced that, as well as moving their existing store, they will be opening a new Flannels and USC in the former BHS building.
This is a significant investment in the town centre. Almost half the former BHS stores in Britain are still empty. Many people, myself included, did not believe that we would see a single occupier for this building again and that it would take public sector investment, probably at a loss, to bring it back into use.
I am glad we have been proved wrong.
At the last council meeting I was able to report that there is serious interest from a potential occupier of the Old Post Office. I also am aware of another quality retailer who is also looking to move to the town centre.
We have also been able to announce that we have signed up the latest occupier to the former sugar beet site at Sproughton. The new Amazon warehouse is another multi-million pound investment in Ipswich which will bring hundreds of new jobs to our town.
And we have also secured £500,000 from Suffolk’s Pooled Business rates as a contribution towards our plans to regenerate the derelict buildings at the entrance to the Waterfront.
We may well see more bad news over the coming months but the Borough Council and all its Ipswich Vision partners are working hard to try and ensure that the positive outweighs the negative.


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Amazon wants new businesses to get hooked on its web services before said businesses get engulfed by a sea of Amazon competitors. That’s the reason it’s rolling out a new program called Activate.
The Activate program includes AWS credits, third-party bonuses, training, and more. Features and services are bundled for brand-new startups, with an even better package available to startups that have already been accepted into certain incubator/accelerator programs or that have been funded by select seed funds or angels.
High level but hands-on
Our upcoming DevBeat conference, Nov. 12-13 in San Francisco, will have a lot more on this topic. Featuring hacker legends like Stallman, DHH, Rasmus Lerdorf, and Alex Payne, it’s a hands-on developer event packed with:
- teck talks
- live Ask-Me-Anything
- hardware hacking
It’s all aimed at boosting your code skills, security knowledge, hardware hacking, and career development. Register now.
The Self-Starter package gives startups one year of free access to a group of AWS services, one year of developer support, web training and a lab, access to the AWS Forum, and third-party offers.
For more proven companies, the Portfolio package includes AWS credits, business-level AWS support, additional training and labs, special forum access, and third-party offers.
Of course, after the year-long trial period ends, Amazon is looking squarely at a bumper crop of more mature startups ready to pay for AWS — and likely reluctant to change their development and business processes to migrate to another service.
All this adds up to a sweet pile of cash for Amazon at a time when some folks find AWS’s prices to be wildly inflated.
In fact, a recent post from guest author Andreas Gauger alleges the company’s profit margins are grossly out of sync with its costs.
“Any service provider certainly needs healthy gross margins to pay for development, management, marketing, sales, and overhead,” Gauger wrote. “But I think just about anyone one reading this would agree that a 90 percent gross margin is unreasonably high.”
“Many of the world’s most successful startups already build their businesses on the AWS cloud,” said AWS VP Adam Selipsky in a statement on the news.
“Based on feedback from VCs, startups, and entrepreneurs, we developed AWS Activate to help even more startup organizations get going quickly by leveraging AWS to help build their business. We’re happy to offer this to startups of all kinds from around the world today.”
VentureBeat's mission is to be a digital town square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and transact. Discover our Briefings.


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Dwelling-grown social app “Chingari” has made inroads into smartphone app world. Touted to be a TikTok rival, the quick video-sharing app is out there each on Google Play Retailer in addition to Apple App Retailer. It is a free obtain on each the app shops.
Variety of downloads: The corporate claims that it has has crossed greater than 2.5 million downloads. It’s mentioned to have reached the milestone from 550,000 downloads in simply ten days. Biswatma Nayak, co-founder of the Chingari App, mentioned, “In the previous few days, we now have witnessed a 400 per cent progress within the subscribers of the app.”
How Chingari works: The app permits customers to obtain and add movies, chat with mates, work together with new individuals, share content material and flick thru feed. Its options embrace trending information, leisure information, humorous movies, video songs, needs, love quotes, standing movies for WhatsApp and extra. The app permits customers to flick thru quite a lot of entertaining and informative quick movies and likewise offers them the choices to obtain them, like them, share them with family and friends.
Content material creators receives a commission: “Chingari pays a content material creator on the idea of how viral the video turns into. For each video that one uploads on the Chingari app, you get factors (per view) which could be redeemed for cash,” the corporate mentioned in a press release.
Languages supported: English, Hindi, Bangla, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Punjabi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.
Builders: The app has been developed by an IT skilled of Chhattisgarh. The app formally launched in November 2018 on Google Play Retailer.
Made for Indians: Chingari app’s chief of product Sumit Ghosh not too long ago instructed TOI that it took him round two years to develop the app. He added that the app has been developed maintaining in view the necessities and calls for of Indian customers.


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ROUND ROCK, Texas, Feb. 5 – Dell Inc. announced on Feb. 5th, 2013, it has signed a definitive merger agreement under which Michael S. Dell, Dell's Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, in partnership with global technology investment firm Silver Lake, will acquire Dell.
Under the terms of the agreement, Dell stockholders will receive $13.65 in cash for each share of Dell common stock they hold, in a transaction valued at approximately $24.4 billion. The price represents a premium of 25 percent over Dell's closing share price of $10.88 on Jan. 11, 2013, the last trading day before rumors of a possible going-private transaction were first published; and a premium of approximately 37 percent over the average closing share price during the previous 90 calendar days ending Jan. 11, 2013. The buyers will acquire for cash all of the outstanding shares of Dell not held by Mr. Dell and certain other members of management.
The Dell Board of Directors acting on the recommendation of a special committee of independent directors unanimously approved a merger agreement under which Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners will acquire Dell and take the company private subject to a number of conditions, including a vote of the unaffiliated stockholders. Mr. Dell recused himself from all Board discussions and from the Board vote regarding the transaction.
The transaction is subject to other customary conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals, in addition to the Dell stockholder approvals described above. The transaction is expected to close before the end of the second quarter of Dell's FY2014.
Dell will continue to deliver the superior solutions, services and experiences that our customers have come to expect. We are committed to completing this transaction as seamlessly as possible such that our customers are not impacted in any way.
We believe this transaction strengthens Dell's capabilities to bring industry-leading, differentiated, simplified and easy-to-manage solutions to customers worldwide.
Dell has always been focused on delivering a best-in-class customer experience and our top priority is to ensure that customer needs are met. Our potential new owners are equally dedicated to winning in the marketplace, offering innovative products and solutions and providing a superior customer experience.
Alex Mandl, lead director of Dell's Board of Directors, said: "The Special Committee and its advisors conducted a disciplined and independent process intended to ensure the best outcome for shareholders. Importantly, the go-shop process provides a real opportunity to determine if there are alternatives superior to the present offer from Mr. Dell and Silver Lake."
Michael Dell said: "I believe this transaction will open an exciting new chapter for Dell, our customers and team members. We can deliver immediate value to stockholders, while we continue the execution of our long-term strategy and focus on delivering best-in-class solutions to our customers as a private enterprise. Dell has made solid progress executing this strategy over the past four years, but we recognize that it will still take more time, investment and patience, and I believe our efforts will be better supported by partnering with Silver Lake in our shared vision. I am committed to this journey and I have put a substantial amount of my own capital at risk together with Silver Lake, a world-class investor with an outstanding reputation. We are committed to delivering an unmatched customer experience and excited to pursue the path ahead."
Egon Durban, a Silver Lake Managing Partner, said: "Michael Dell is a true visionary and one of the preeminent leaders of the global technology industry," said "Silver Lake is looking forward to partnering with him, the talented management team at Dell and the investor group to innovate, invest in long-term growth initiatives and accelerate the company's transformation strategy to become an integrated and diversified global IT solutions provider."
Source: Dell Inc.


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photo credit: Rob Kim l Getty Images
Earlier this week, Kanye West took home his 22nd Grammy for his recent ‘Jesus Is King’ project, and while he may be in the midst of a divorce from wife Kim Kardashian, West’s bank account definitely has some new zeros to celebrate.
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According to a new report from Bloomberg, the 43-year-old rapper’s sneaker and apparel business YZZY, which is in collaboration with both Adidas AG and Gap Inc, is valued from valued at $3.2 billion to $4.7 billion by UBS Group AG. Also, the value of the Gap tie-up, which hits stores this summer, is expected to rake in $970 million of the estimated total. As Gap expects to bring in $150 million in 2022 for the first full year, sales for Yeezy’s Adidas sneakers remained continued to grow during the pandemic from 31% to nearly $1.7 billion in annual revenue. Bloomberg also states that West has $122 million in cash and stock, his entire music catalog is worth $110.5 million, and more than $1.7 billion in other assets, including a significant investment in Kim Kardashian’s underwear collection Skims.
Last year, West claimed to be worth an estimated $3 billion, and now updated Forbes numbers makes him the wealthiest Black man in American history!


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This new division of Accell Group, which generated revenues of €32 million in 2005, is fairly certain to qualify as the second-largest supplier of home fitness equipment in Europe this year after Kettler, as its growth rate being posted for the full 12-month period will be higher than the 30 percent increase recorded in the 1st half.
Company officials attribute the success to an improved range of products being offered by fairly good sales teams at the right price. Sales have been particularly buoyant in some other markets such as Russia, where sales through a distributor, Union Sport, have trebled.
Accell Fitness groups a variety of brands led by Tunturi, whose factory in Finland was closed down last August, with its production shifted to Estonia. The other brands are Bremshey, a more recent acquisition, along with BS&T, Trimmaster and Inspire Gyms.
Meanwhile Tunturi’s long-time Swiss distributor, Montana Sport, has agreed to relinquish the brand and its sales team, which is being integrated into a Swiss bicycle subsidiary of Accell, Koga Trading. Tino Tsolakis, who is in charge of Accell’s operations in Switzerland and Austria, is taking over responsibility for the operation.
Accell Fitness will also take over the distribution in Sweden from next Jan. 1, with its strong Finnish operation taking charge of the country. There are no plans to take over the distribution in countries such as France or Italy, where the current distributors of its brands are doing a good job.


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Turbo-charged launch trailer launched ahead of DiRT Showdown’s race into retail on Friday May 25th
Codemasters today released a new video for DiRT Showdown, showcasing this action packed extension of the DiRT series. The launch video showcases the maximum-impact racing, bone-rattling destruction game modes, freestyle Hoonigan events and multiplayer party games set to take centre stage on DiRT Showdown's World tour of motorised mayhem. From Miami to LA and San Francisco to Yokohama, the trailer features drivers taking down their rivals, boosting to overtake, hitting jumps and performing stunts as they go for the win across DiRT Showdown's wide range of game modes.
DiRT Showdown is available across mainland Europe and will be launched on May 25th in the UK and May 29th on North America.


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CMU Design alum on CBS
Kaeo Helder, Carnegie Mellon University School of Design’s alumnus works as an Industrial Designer for Candylab Toys. His work was featured on CBS News recently.
According to the CMU Design website, Candylab Toys is based in Brooklyn and funded by Kickstarter. It produces heirloom, handcrafted, wooden toys inspired by “the glamorous ‘60s American modernist vibe,” with the goal of delivering experiences that bring children and adults together.
In the article, he says “as a member of a small team I tackle a wide variety of roles: Product Development, Design, Engineering, Design For Manufacture, Packaging, and working closely with overseas factories for production... My day-to-day involves managing multiple work streams and deadlines to make sure that production is kept on track as well as working with our team to design and engineer new products for our ever-growing catalogue.”
Candylab Toys recently raised more than $60,000 on Kickstarter for their new line of cars inspired by the 1920s
Helder explained, “It’s inspired by the hot rods and rum runners of that era, We’re trying to include a lot of colors and details based on the cars of that era. It’s going to be really kid-friendly and fun.”


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This is message to all those "carnivorous" profit grubbing nay sayers out there who claim that business that don't put profits first can not survive in a free market capitalistic economy.
Demoulas' fast-growing Market Basket chain is something of an enigma: It posts higher margins than its competitors, but by many accounts pays its employees better, sets its prices lower and treats its vendors like cousins.
"We're in the people business first and the food business second."
At this very well-regarded family company, employees are picketing to protest the board’s firing of CEO Arthur T. Demoulas. Shelves are largely bare, and suppliers are being hurt by the slowdown. Many shoppers are not crossing the picket lines. The company’s newly appointed co-CEOs are trying to replace striking employees; some 25,000 jobs are at stake, but employees are holding the line. Politicians and government officials are weighing in.
This high-stakes, riveting story obviously teaches us a lot about the vulnerabilities of family companies — but it’s also a good reminder of their strengths. It is important to keep in mind that family business, a largely silent sector of market capitalism, is also the biggest sector, accounting for two-thirds of all businesses in the world, and about half of the largest companies in the United States. Studies done in a number of countries indicate that both public and private family companies perform, on average, significantly better than non-family businesses. They are stronger financially, have higher stakeholder loyalty, live longer, and are more trusted by the public. These company strengths have a lot to do with their family ownership and family leadership. And this is also true at Market Basket.
The now-former family leader of Market Basket, Arthur T. Demoulas, built an impressive and extremely loyal employee group. What company wouldn’t love to have frontline employees striking to support their CEO? The same goes for the cult-like loyalty of Market Basket customers.


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a2 Milk strong despite Bellamy's woes
Pioneering milk business, The a2 Milk Company (ASX:A2M), performed well during the quarter despite being down 14.3% for the month of December on the back of concerns around the current predicament of its listed peer, Bellamy’s Australia (ASX:BAL) (-45.7% for the month of December). BAL issued a profit warning in early December cutting its earnings forecast by 40-50% and citing lower volumes and margins through its Chinese sales channels. In mid-December, Bellamy’s moved to suspend its ASX listing as it attempted to come to grips with its rapidly changing earnings profile. This had an unsettling impact on the A2M share price although the company subsequently confirmed that it “continues to trade very strongly, in particular, (with) significant year-on-year growth in its infant formula business”. Prior to the market jitters caused by BAL, A2M had released a strong AGM update with sales for the first four months of FY17 up 96%, which we believe provides evidence the company continues to build a substantial premium milk business. (VIEW LINK)
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Robert was appointed Head of Investments in 2009 and has been a Portfolio Manager since joining OC Funds Management in 2001. Robert is also an Executive Director of parent company, Copia Investment Partners.


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April 20, 2011
Smartphones and tablets will feature the ARM Cortex-A15 processor beginning in late 2012 or early 2013, according to ARM company officials.
The ARM processor was introduced last year as a more powerful replacement for the Cortex-A8 core currently used in Apple's iPhone 4 and iPad tablet. The Cortex-A15 runs at speeds up to 2.5GHz and is expected to provide more processing power with less energy consumption for smartphones and tablets. ARM's chips are currently used in most of the world's smartphones and tablets; the company licenses its designs to chip makers Nvidia, Samsung, Texas Instruments, and Qualcomm. Many current smartphone and tablet processors are derived from ARMs current Cortex-A9 design. ARM partners are expected to initially use dual-core processors, then quad-core parts in mobile devices. Nvidia said it may use the design to develop CPU cores for PCs and servers that will be able to run Microsoft's upcoming Windows OS ARM officials said. "We believe this new Cortex-A15 MPCore processor core from ARM, with its quantum leap in processing capabilities, will successfully enable many next-generation electronic products and redefine the level of experience consumers will demand from their smartphones and mobile computing devices," Yiwan Wong, VP of marketing in Samsung's semiconductor division, said in a joint statement with ARM. The reason ARM's processors are used with so many smartphones and tablets is due to the relatively low energy consumption of its processors, compared with previous processors from Intel and other companies. However, Intel has vowed to make more headway in the tablet and smartphone market this year to counter ARM's dominance. Boyd Davis, VP of Intel's architecture group, told reporters earlier this year that Intel will respond to market demands for flexibility and lower energy use by creating low-power processors that will also deliver some of the company's most popular server features, such as 64-bit compatibility, error correcting coding, and virtualization technology. Intel has introduced Xeon and Atom microprocessors targeted at low-power servers and is currently in production with Xeon E3 45-watt and 20-watt processors. In the second half of the year, Intel has announced plans to introduce a 15-watt chip based on its recently released 32-nanometer Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. Also, Intel will soon ship its Oak Trail chipsets in tablets running the Honeycomb version of Google's Android platform. ARM is hoping its Cortex-a15 to compete with Intel, by being the next evolutionary step on the path toward having smartphones and tablets become primary computing devices. "With our upcoming Cortex-A15 processor, we are definitely moving closer to the day when your smartphone or tablet can act as a primary computing device," said James Bruce, the U.S. mobile segment manager at ARM Holdings, in TG Daily.
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Google's partnership with iFixit for the Pixel Fold offers DIY repair options with genuine spare parts and step-by-step guides. This addresses the durability and repairability concerns.
Dangbei Atom, a HDR10/HLG laser projector with Dolby sound, Chromecast, Google TV and more
Forget Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, what you really want to download this month is Fedora Silverblue 40
Right to repair RSS
Apple is expanding its Self-Service Repair program to include the iPhone 14 and M2 MacBooks. Also, repair access has been increased and the online store has been launched. Here are the details.
A selection of Surface tablet and laptop devices can now have some of their parts repaired by their owners by buying those pieces directly from the Microsoft Store, and tools from iFixit.
Framework and Google have partnered to launch the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition that lets users select the ports they need on their laptop, comes with customizable Bezels, and more.
iPhone 14 reveals a shift in Apple's stance about performing DIY repairs. The device's teardown video reveals some interesting design choices that make it easier, not harder, to perform repairs.
Those excited about upgrading their MacBooks through Apple Self Service Repair are in for some disappointment as the company has stated that hardware upgrade processes are not supported.
Earlier this year Apple launched the Self Service Repair program allowing users to access manuals and parts for certain iPhones, this will now expand to select Macbook models from August 23.
The Self Service Repair Store allows customers to get access to genuine parts and tools to perform repairs on the iPhone 12/13 lineup, or the iPhone SE. The store will soon be available in Europe.
Microsoft has published a new video on the official Surface YouTube channel detailing how to disassemble and repair the Surface Laptop Studio. It also shows several unique design ideas Microsoft uses.
Nearly all Google Pixel smartphones can now be repaired by their owners using Fix Kits from iFixit. These kits will include key parts such as batteries, cameras, replacement display, and all tools.
Several new features and additions are apparently coming to Windows 11 according to a leak. These include a new personalization option using Stickers, Table mode, and Notification settings changes.
The EFF is going after Section 1201 of the DMCA which currently criminalizes any attempts to speak about legally acquired copyrighted material. If repealed, it would boost Right to Repair movement.
Apple is going to launch Self Service Repair next year so that customers can fix their own iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or M1 Macs themselves. The program is aimed at technicians with the required skills.
According to iFixit, Apple has made it more difficult to repair the display of an iPhone by soldering a microcontroller to it. Third-party or DIY attempts to replace it could break Face ID.
Following a shareholder resolution filed against the company in July, Microsoft has reportedly agreed to increase repairability options for customers and facilitate local repair options.
President Joe Biden is expected to issue a new executive order in the coming days urging the FTC to draft new policies on "right to repair". The EU previously introduced such rules.
Microsoft must introduce the Right to Repair to reduce the enormous e-waste, says As You Sow. As You Sow is a body overlooking the environmental impacts of corporate practices and expansion.
The EU is looking to introduce a "right to repair" bill for smartphones, laptops, and tablets that will require companies to design products that are easily repairable and recyclable.
As part of a pilot program, three Apple-authorized partners are receiving the proprietary 'iPhone Calibration Machine' capable of calibrating an iPhone, significantly reducing repair times.
Apple will once again come out against a "right to repair" law being considered in Nebraska that would give users access to parts and repair manuals for the company's products.


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Taxman to surpass US$8.52B revenue goal a 2nd straight year
M. Diaz. File.
Santo Domingo.- Internal Taxes (DGII) director Magín Díaz on Mon. said the government’s tax collection goal will be surpassed for the second straight year.
“This year the budget goal was RD$426.0 billion (US$8.52 billion) and at the end of October we are online to meet the goal, so we will be in that range of collection,” the official said.
He also announced that the new Simple Taxation Program (PST) proposed for microenterprises will take effect next January as had been raised by Industry and Commerce minister Nelson Toca a few days ago.
“When the new PST takes effect in January, the micro companies will have the facility to make a single payment and will not have to pay the income tax in advance as it happens at present with all companies that are not covered by this regime,” Diaz said in an activity organized by the Finance Ministry.
“However, faced with the request of some business sectors that in addition to the micro, the obligation of the advance tax to small and medium enterprises is also eliminated,” the official said
He said that would be an issue of a tax reform, but warned that this is a tax that helps the government and the companies themselves to stabilize the flow of resources and that eliminating it completely would be an error.
“Now there is also the simplified purchase procedure, for companies that have purchases of about 40 million pesos, which are more or less in the classification of medium-sized companies and there a single tax rate is paid.”


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China growth keeps rapid recovery on track
China is on track to become the only major world economy to grow this year after consumer confidence recovered from a post-pandemic slump in the third quarter, although a lagging services sector meant a 4.9 per cent increase in gross domestic product missed market expectations.
Robust exports and higher than expected increases in industrial output and retail sales towards the end of the quarter provided further evidence that the world's second-largest economy had rebounded from a health crisis now crippling many of its trading partners.
Economists attributed this to the country's handling of the pandemic, which shut down China's factories in late January after the coronavirus was initially reported in central China before spreading around the world.
While China has so far avoided a second wave of infections, economists said risks remain.
"China is not free from the risk of a second wave of COVID-19, pent-up demand will likely lose some steam, medical product exports may have peaked, Beijing is determined to cool down property markets, some social distancing measures within China are likely to extend into the second half and rising US-China tensions could dent China’s exports and manufacturing investment," Nomura chief China economist Ting Lu said.
China's GDP rose 4.9 per cent year on year in the three months to the end of September, falling short of market forecasts as high as 5.5 per cent and economists' consensus of 5.2 per cent.
Some economists attributed the miss to a lagging services sector, but others said high volatility made forecasting difficult.
The value of China's currency had been rising on the expectation of solid data, while the country's central bank said on Sunday it expected the economy to expand by 2 per cent this year.
Combined growth for the first three quarters of the year was 0.7 per cent, putting China back into growth after the coronavirus pandemic led to a 6.8 per cent decline in the first quarter.
While many economists question the accuracy of the Chinese government's data, China has avoided the economic fallout being experienced by the rest of the world after controlling the outbreak early and avoiding a second wave of infections.
The International Monetary Fund last week doubled its growth forecast for the Chinese economy in 2020 to 1.9 per cent, compared with an expected 4.3 per cent fall for the United States.
Consumption, which initially lagged China's pick-up in industrial output, is showing signs of recovering. Retail sales rose 3.3 per cent in September and 0.9 per cent for the third quarter.
In good news for Australian iron ore exports to China, crude steel production jumped 10.9 per cent year-on-year in September to 92.56 million tonnes. Crude steel production was 4.5 per cent higher in the first nine months of the year, to 781.59 million tonnes.
Industrial production increased 5.8 per cent in the third quarter. It was down 1.3 per cent for the first half. While many of China's factories reopened in March and April, demand for exports slumped as China's major trading partners went into coronavirus lockdowns.
Fixed-asset investment, which fell 3.1 per cent in the first half, was in positive territory for the first time since the outbreak, with combined growth of 0.8 per cent in the first three quarters.
The official urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.4 per cent in September as the official data showed the government was closing in on its promise to create 9 million new jobs.
China has avoided a second wave of coronavirus infections because of strict lockdowns and widespread testing. However, the economy faces new risks from rising hostilities with the United States and many of its major trading partners, including Australia.
China's imports rose 13.2 per cent in US dollar terms in September, while exports rose 9.9 per cent from a year ago.
China's President Xi Jinping has flagged a "dual circulation" economic strategy aimed at making the country less reliant on other countries.
This will be the centrepiece of a new five-year economic and social blueprint for the country expected to be endorsed by 200 of the country's ruling elite at a meeting known as the Fifth Plenum, starting on October 26.
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For over a year now, the folks behind the cannabis-community discount membership program The Bud Card have been staging monthly open-air markets in the parking lot outside Hempful Farms, at 1756 West Bell Road in north Phoenix. They're held the second Saturday of each month — "until it gets too hot," says Amanda Nash, owner of the Bud Card.
The weather will be in the comfortable upper 60s this Saturday, January 9, for the next one. Vendors lined up include Canna Paint (CBD-infused nail lacquer), Mantis Seeds, Rainbow Lick'd (art), Cali-Roots CBD, and many more. Shoppers who are members of The Bud Card will get discounts on products.
"It's just a great way for people who are new to CBD and THC to come and ask questions and learn," Nash says of the open-air markets. "We've had Baked Bros. out, Hi Buddy Honey, Industry Extracts. We're trying to create an open space to support the community right now." (The Bud Card also holds a similar market on the fourth Saturday of every month; that one's outside Marijuana Cards AZ, just a few blocks down at 15th and Bell streets.)
The family-friendly event (it's not a place to smoke THC, Nash notes) starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. Saturday. Check The Bud Card or Hempful Farms' social media for more info.